duncan



Feb. 9,1926, Re. 16,259 l A.VL. DUNCAN APPABATQS FOR FITTING 0R ggggc; FRUIT Y'Original Filed Feb. 4, 1924 9 SheecS-SheeI 5 .I1 L. 65 65 64 f 64' 65 75 v 6 g'. 76 75 8l I l I 719 y A l r r I I l n 66 64 6a 54 663 5 6.3 nventoz attenua,

A. LQ DUNCAN APPARTQHQR.RUIM @E YQQRIN@ FRUIT oiginal Filed Feb. 4. 1924 9 Sheets-Sheet ,v 4

attoz nu,

hln.

lFab. 9 1926. Re. 16,259y

'NM A. L. DUNCAN "w APPARATUS FOR PITTING 0R'CORI'NG'IRVIIJIT' '9 sheets-sheet Original Filed Feb; 4,. l1924 v1=b.`s,v1sazs. l Re. 16,259

' I A. L. DUNCAN APPARATUS FOR FITTING OR CORING FRUIT orig'i'nal Filed F'eb. 4, 1924 9 sheets-Sheet s A'iginal Filed Feb'. '4, 1924 9 Sheets-Sheet "7 fukin,

Feb.; s, 192s. y Re. 16,259

A L'. DUNCAN APPARATUS FORMPITTING OR GRING` FRUIT l fOrgnal Filed Feb. v4. 1924 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 Fd. 192e. Re, 16,259A

' A. L. DUNCAN APPARATUS FoBPITTING 0R lGORLHG FRUIT l"Original: Filed Feb. 4, 1924y 9 Sheets--Sheeltl 9 Reis-sued Feb. 9, 19,26.

, UNITED s'inarssy y Reiazsa PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR L. DUNCAN, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

APPARATUS FOB PITTING OB COBING FRUIT..

`To all A'whom it may concern.

In natural formation of single pit fruits such as peaches the pit consists of two curved side surfaces, and a rib or fin like edge form around the suture of the sides substantially in the plane of greatest sectional area of the pit. At the point of attachment of the stem to the fruit, the pit comes practicall to the surface of the fiesh or pulp where tlieie is a natural depression, and substantially in the plane of the fin like edge or rib ofthe it a natural crease is formed onthe outsi e of the fruit. Opposite Ithe stem end of the fruit a spike is formed on the pit and on the pulp, while on some varieties a 'fibrous growth extends from the'spike of the pit to the spike formation on the pulp.

It has been heretofore the practice in pitting clingstone peaches by hand to make a cut with a straight bladed knife around the fruit to the depth of the pit, following the line of the outside crease, then to insert a .the pit as a guide, the curved pitting spoon being inserted about midway between the l lilies of the fin like edge, rib or suture, then cutting through the pulp from the point of insertion to one side of the cut which is first made with the straight bladed knife, then receding to the opposite side of "the cut made by the straight bla'ded knife. This separates onehalf of the peach. The other half, with the Apit imbedded is then separated from the pit by gouging out the it with the same curved pitting spoon. e pulp or flesh is now separated substantially in halves, with the pit cut free in the .manner above setforth. This prior hand process is relatively wastefulv due to mutilation of aA `Application tor large percentage of the fruit by ,inexperi-v enced and careless help and is also slow and expensive. Y

I have discovered that when pitting fruit such as clingstone peaches improved results Bussum Qrlginal No. 1,498,0'8, 'dated June 17, 1824, Serial No. 690,416, med February 4, 1924.

A reislue led Decembers, 1925. Serial llo.74,402.

are obtained, and the pit may be economically removed if the natural crease and the fin like edge or rib formation or suture of the pit are utilized as a uide for insertion of the pitting sp'oon or knife. With the concept of utilizin as a basis, the iin like or ribbed edge of t e it and the natural crease on the outside of t ie fruit as guides, I have discovered various improved a paratus and methods of pitting or coring fruit such as clingstone peaches.

My improved methods for hand pittin comprise the steps of utilizing the natura v crease formation to indicate the location of the fin like or ribbed edge of the pit, inserting a curved pittin knife or spoon in the pulp along the fin li e or ribbed edge of the pit as a guide for starting the cuttin operation, an cutting the it free from t e pulp starting from the fin like or ribbed ed of the pit instead of from the curved si e of the pit as has been""heretofor'e the4 practice. The pulp of the fruit is preferably halved to permit removal of the freed central core or pit. For the canning of high grade fruit, it 1s preferable that the crease formation of the pulp to ether with the fibrous material extendin rom the spike end of the pulp lto the spike end of the it be removed.l For from is contemplated wit in the scope of the invention, it is referable, to divide or separate the pulp substantiall in the plane of the rib or fin like edge o. the it prior to cutting the pit or core from t e pulp. In the preferred embodiments of the invention a channel or groove is formed in the.

pul either by removing a slice therefrom or y forming a wedge shaped cut or incision, or` by'separating the pulp in any other manner to permit `the entry of the cutting knife or cision.

Accordingly an obect of the resent invention is to provi e improve mjethods and ap aratus or coring and pitting fruit.

Ano er object of the invention is to provide an improved ap aratus for automatically and mechanica y separating a fruit in halves or sections and for removing a pit or core therefrom.-

Further objects of the invention are to provide an apparatus capable of uniformly cuttin the fruit into sections so that' the cut e ges will present smooth, even and trimmed surfaces; preferably to remove the fibrous growth extending from the s ike end of the pit throu h the pulp of the ruit and to cut the it t erefrom and resent a smooth even pu p body in the cavity occupied by the removed pit; to provide a mechanically operated apparatus capable of operating on a greater number of fruits within a given time than is ossible within the same time to be accompli ed by present hand methods, and thereby increasing production, enhancing the quality, and reducin the cost of halving, pitting and trimmmg the fruit.

The specific embodiment of apparatus for carryin out my improved methods hereinafter dlsclosed consists in a centering or impaling device to receive the fruit to properly present it to trimming, cutting and transfer members; secondly to provide a trimming, cutting and transfer member which in cooperation with other means conveys the pitting spoon in the channel or infruit into operative relation with trimming.

and cutter members so that an annular slice to the depth of the it is removed from the fruit; thlrd, to provide engaging cup members for removing the fruit from the conveying member and so constructed as to conform to the configuration of the fruit with-I out in any manner pinching or injuring the surface thereof; fourth, to provide a mechanism for removing the pulp adhering to the pit at the base of the annular groove and lastly, to provide a pit removing knife designed for reception within kthe annular groove and to come substantially in contact with the rib or fin likey edge or suture of the pit and for movement axially of the pit to cut the sameV from the fruit body.

With the above-mentioned'and other objects in view, the lnvention consists in the novel methods, construction and combination of parts herein described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and set forth in the claims hereto appended, it being understood that various changesin the form,

' proportion, size and miner details oifzconstruction within the scope of the claims may beresorted vto .without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of thev invention. v

1eme

To more fully comprehend the invention,

particularly the operating mechanism for,

the pit removing knife. p

Flgure 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail sectional viewtaken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Figure v6 is a`L sectional view on line 6-6, Figure 5, of one of the pit groove Scrapers.

gure 7 is a view in front elevation of the .impaling device. i i

Figure 8 1s a vertical sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 9 9 of Figure 8 illustrating the fric-l tion devices for the centering plunger.

Figure 10 is a sectional view on line 10-10 of Figure 8 illustratin the particular formation of the impaling nives.

Figure 11 is a vertical sectional view through a peach mounted and centered on the impaling knives.

Figure 12 is a sectional view on line 12-12 of Figure 11.. Y

Figure 13 is a vertical sectional view through a fruit illustrating the cuts formed by the transfer member.

Figure 14 is a sectional view on line 14.--14 of Figure 13.

Figure 15 is a sectional view of the fruit as conveyed by the transfer member, illustrating one of cutter knives cutting a portion o the annular groove at the stem end of the fruit and removing a portion of the material therefrom.

Figure 16 is a view of the same fruit cut as indicated in Fig. 15 and illustrating another of the cutting-knives about to remove that portion of the slice from the opposite end of the fruit and which slice was cut by the cutting Walls of the transfer member.

Figure 17 is a view in detailed plan of one of the conveying cups. I

Figure 18 is a longitudinal sectional view \on line 18-18 of Figure 17 illustrating the details of construction of one of the conveying cups.

Figure 19 is through the pair of conveying cups illustrating the same in the act of holding a fruit.

Figure 20 is a view in front elevation of one of the conveying cups. v

Figure 21 is a sectional view online 21-21 of Figure 18.

- Figure 422 is a detailed sectional view of a vertical sectional view l removed slice.

Figure 24 is a view similar to Figure 23 with the pit removing knives received in a groove.

- Figure 25 is a view in end elevation of the knife mounting frame illustrating in dotted lines the bearing for the pit removing knives.

Figure 26 is a. vertical sectional View on line 26-26 of Fi ure 25.

v Fi ure 27 is a ragmental view of the pitting nives.

Figure 28 is a view through a fruit with the pitt-ing knives in opera-tion during the removal of the pit therefrom and illustrating particularly the annular groove formed in the fruit by the removal of the slice.

Figure 29 1s a view in detailed elevation of the operating mechanism mounted on the drive shaft. l

Figure 30 is a view in side elevation of the cam elements illustrated in Figure 29.

Figure 31 is a vertical sectional view on line 31-31, Figure 29, viewed in the direction of the arrow.

Figure 32 is a view in detail of the mechanism for imparting oscillatory movement to the pit removing knives.

Figure 33 is a view in top plan of the,

main shaft illustrated in Figure 32 showing the segmental gear carried thereby.

Figure 34 is a vertical sectional view of a peach mounted on the impaling knives.

. Figure 35 is the same view of the same peach after the impaling knives have positioned the same within one of the slots of the transfer member, the lines indicating the cuts formed by the edges of the transfer member.

Figure 36 is a similar view of the fruit during the cycle of its operation, the darkened area indicating the first portion of the slice removed in the formation of the annular groove.

Figure`37 is a similar view of the fruit in another st-age of its operation, illustrating the recesses made by the withdrawing of the impaling knives, and the portion of the slice cut from the blossom end of the fruit relieving the side portions of the slice upon each outer edge of the impaling devlces, the darkened area surrounding the pit being the onl portion of the slice adhering to the pit an pulp.

-which a head 5 rings 18.

Figure 42 illustrates the two half slicesy of the fruit separated from the pit.

As shown in the drawings a suitable supporting framework 1 (Figures 1, 2 and 3) is provided in which the parallel guide rods 2 are` supported. A carriage 3 is slidably mounted on guide rods 2 and is adapted to reciprocate thereon as will more fully hereinafter appear. Secured to the-forward end of the carriage 3 is a supporting bracket member 4 (Figures 1, 2, 7 and 8) upon is mounted. Detachably secured in the head 5 preferably'by means of the threaded sections 6 (Figures 8 and 11) are the impaling knives 7 which are preferably disposed parallel to each other 1n substantially the same vertical plane (Fig. 10) with their sharp edges 8y outward and relatively broad backs 9 thereof toward each other. Slidably supported in the center of the head 5 substantially midway between the knives 7, is a centering member 11. A centering po'int 12 shaped to fit within the stem depression of the fruit to be pitted is formed on or secured to one end of the member 11. The opposite end of the centering member 11 is provided with grooves 13 (Figure 9) in whlch the balls 14 are adapted to seat. Balls 14 are retained within recesses 15 formed in the enlarged upper end 16 of member 16 which is rigidly secured to and supported from the frame 1 (Figure 8). The enlarged end 16 is provided with aycentral bore 17 in which the groovedvend of the member 11 slidably ts. Balls 14 are forced partially through openings in the bottom of the recesses 15 into the grooves 13 of the member 11, by means of the springs 18 which are held in position by the retaining Balls 14 are pressed into the bore 17 by springs 18 with sufficient pressure and the bit of member 11 in the head 5 is `suliciently free so that as the carriage 3 moves to the left in4 Figure 1, the end of member 11 will enter bore 17 until the balls 14 are engaged, and the member 11 forced to -the position shown in Figure 8. When,`however, the fruit is to be impaled with the adhering portion cleared from the on the knives 7, the end pressure exerted on the member 11 by the operator in vimpaling with and is driven by a pinion 20. Pinion is supportedupon and meshes with a rack m21 secured to the framework 1, and is journaled in a s indle 22 in the end of actuating links 22 igures 1 and 2). Links 22, are pivotally secured at their other ends to the upper end ofarm 23 by means of a pin 23 and at its lower'end is pivotally sup orted ivotably supports member 24. Rotatably sup`.A Aported from. and carried on opposite sides of member 24 (Figures 1 and 2) are the actuating rollers 27 and 27 The roller 27 is. engaged by an actuating cam 28 (Figures 1, 29 and 30) which is keyed to and driven by the shaft 26 in a manner to impart a motion to the right in Figure 1. As cam shaft 26 is rotated a reciprocating motion will be imparted to member 24 causing actuation of pinion 20 to impart a reciprocating motion to rack 19 and carriage 3. Cam 28 is provided with a relatively flat portion 29 (Figure 30) so arranged that a slight pause 1s caused inthe reciprocating movement of the parts when the carriage 3 is at the left end of its travel as shown in Figure 1, and an labrupt portion 30 is provided to give the carriage 3 a sudden movement as it approaches the end of its travel to the right in Figure 1. Shaft 26 is driven by a gear 31 rigidly secured thereto (Figures 1, 2 and 3) which meshes with-and is driven by a pinion 32. Pinion 32 is mounted on and driven by a drive shaft 33 suitably journaled in the frame 1, and driven by a pulley 34 o r in any other suitable manner.

Supported on and secured to the frame 1 is a frame structure 35 provided withthe vertical legs 36 in whichA shaft 37 (Figs. 1 and 5) is journal'ed. Secured on the outer end of the shaft 37 is a radially slotted member 38 of the Geneva gear (Fig. 1). Supported below the member 38 in the vertical leg 36 is a stub shaft 39 (Figures 1 and 2) to the outer end of which a crank 40 is secured. Secured to and extending from one side of crank 40 is a crank pin 41 which-is adapted tol enter the radial slots 42 of the member 38. Accordingly. as crank 40 is rotated in the direction of the arrow in Figure '1, in 41 will enter the slot 42 at the right tiereof and will cause rotation of member 38 an angular distance of 90 dewhen lthe sector 43 willbeidisengaged from the ad]acent arc shaped section 44 and will permit rotationbf member' 38 another uarter of a revolutlon. Shaft 39 is driven y a 'sprocket 44 which in turn is driven from shaft 26 by means of the 'sprocket 45secured thereto 45'..`

Supported on the shaft 37 is a transfer and slicing device 46 made up of cutting (Figures1,2 and 3) through chain lplates 47 which are spaced apart sufficiently and so positionedasto ermit the ent of the knives 7 between tlieir inner sur aces when carriage 3 is moved to the right in Figure 1. 90 degreesaround plates 47 are the radial fruit receiving slots 48,- provided with the converging bottom edges 49 (Figs. 1 and 5). The parallel sidewalls of the slot 48 are space apart a sufficient distance to permit the entry'of the pit of a fruit such as a Formed at angular distances of peach with the plane of the fin edge or natural rib or suture of the pit formation substantially midway between plates 47 and parallel thereto when carriage 3 is moved forward to transfer thefruit from the impaling knives 7 to the transfer member 46 -1n a manner which 'will more fully hereinafter appear. A'pair of knives 50 (Figs. 1 and 5) one disposed above eachplate 47 and substantially parallel thereto are provided. Positioned between knives 50 is a-slice refmoving knife 51. Knives 50 and 51 are positioned in such relation that a slice 51 (Figs. 15 yand 36) will be removed from the end of fruit carried in member 46 as it rotates past the same in the manner shown in Figure 15. Located opposite the point of fixing the fruit on the transfer member 46 1s a knife 52 supported from frame 1 by lmeans of the bracket 53 (Figure 5) in a manner to permit reciprocation of bed 3. Knife 52 is provided with a curvedportion 54 extending upward between parallel plates 47 and terminates in a cutting point 55. As the fruit carried on member 46 rotates past knife 52 a slice 56 (Figs. 16 and 37) is removed from the blossom end of the fruit, and slice sections 57 and 58 located between the lates 47 and which had been previously cut y insertion vi-ntoV the receiving recesses 48 of member 46' are freed from the pulp. With the removal of slice section 56 a groove or channel 59 (Figs. 4() and 42) is formed around the fruit greater than the width of the strip removed by the thicknessof the wedge shaped cutting plates extending substantially to the core or to the fin or rib or suture A ofthe pit 60 the only pulp remaining at the base of the channel being that indicated by 61 (Figs. 37 and 38) in the base of the channel or groove 59 and closely surrounding the p it 60. As the transfer member rotates. the slice of the flesh cut from the fruit by the knife 52 will be removed from between plates 47 by a knife 61 (Fig. 5) suitabl sup orted from the frame 1 by'means o brac ets 61l and extending between the inner surfaces of the pistes 47. The pulp sections 57 and 58 will removed from between the plates 47 by the knife 52 as the plates are rotated.

Secured to projections or flanges at opposite sides of the forward end of the carriage 3 b meansof the bolts 62 (Figs. 1, 2, 4, 17 an 18) are the aligned brackets 62 which have formed integrally therewith the axially aligned bearing members. Bearin members 63-63 areprovided with bushlngs 64 in which .the tubular extensions 64 of heads 65 are slidably supported. Heads 65 are provided with {ianges 66 to which elastic diaphragms 67 closing the mouths 'of heads 65 are secured by means of a securing ring 68 and thesecuring screws 69. (Figures 18,1 19 and 20.) Disposed within a recess portion of diaphragms 67 are flat spiral spring members 70 which are held in position at the outer periphery b projecting sections of securing rings 68. prlng 70 at its center is secured to a cupped member 71 rigidly secured to or formed integrally with stems 7 2 to which are secured valve members 73. Valve members 73 close a valve seat 74 supported in the base of members 65, when diaphragms 67 are undeflected. Rigidly secured to the tubular extensions 64 are tubu.-

lar guide members 74 slidably supported in thebearing 63 and the ends of the extensions 74 are connected by means of the .flexible tubular connections 75 to a source of air pressure.y An actuatino` link 76 is pivotally connected at one end 'by means of a collar `7 7 to each tubular extension 64. At their opposite ends the links 7 6 are connected bylmeans vof the pins 78 to the crank 79. Each crank 79is rigidly secured to a stub shaft 80 journaled in the supporting bracket 62.` Shaft 80` is driven by a pinion 81 which in turn meshes with and is driven by a `gear `82. Gears 82 are rigidly secured and rotatable withk spindles 83 journaled in brackets 62', and are driven by pinions 84 which mesh with and are driven by racks 85 (Figure 21) formed on actuating members 86. Actuating members 86 are slidabl supported in the tubular bearings 87 whic are formed on the brackets`62. Members 86 extend beyond the ends of the supporting membe'r 87 (Figures 1, 17 and 21).

As carriage 3 `approaches the limit of its travel to the left in Figure 1, one end of the members 86 will engage the adjustable stops which are supported from Aframework 35. This forces the members86, together with the racks `85 forward through the bearing members 87 .and imparts a rotation to pinions 83 which will cause driving of the gears 82 and 81 to rotate the crank 79 and to The movement inward of the cu 65 causes a grip ing of the fruit (Fig. 9) as will more ully hereinafter appear and causes unseating of the valves 73. This permits air pressure from the connection 75 to enter into the interior of heads 65 forcing the elastic diaphragms 67 and the springs 70 into engagement with the fruit with a pressure suiicient to hold the same securely without causin injury thereto. As carriage moves to t e right in Figure v1 afruit such as a peach gripped between heads 65 will be forced between a pair of scraping knives 89 (Figs. 1 and 5) which are adapted to scrape the pulp 61 from the base of the groove or channel 59 which has been formed' in the fruit. Scraping knives 89 are each formed of a pair of parallel blades 90 which have their outer surfaces spaced and positioned relatively so that they will enter into channels 59 formed in the fruit, as the carriage moves to the right. Blades 90 are secured to a curved supportin backl 91 (Figures 1 and 6) which is slida 1y mounted in curved seats formed by the gulde memunited by a section 96 which sections are normally in contact at 97 as shown in Figu res 1 and 5. Knives 89 are provided with members 98 secured at one end to backs 91 and extending outwardly through slots 98 formed in the guide member v92. Springs 99 secured at one end to the outer ends of members 98 and 'to pins 99 of the fixed guide members 92. As the fruit held between the heads 65 is forced between knives 89 by movement of the carriage 3, the pit or core will engage the knife members'96 and will rock the knives to the position shown by the broken line in Figure 5, and the pul at the base of the channel will be scrape from around the pit. As the fruit passes beyond members 96, springs 99 will restore knives 89 to the normal position shown in Figs. 1 and 5.

Supported from the frame at the rear end thereof are the standardslOl (Figures 1, 3, 22, and 32) inthe upper end of which carriage 102 is slidably supported in suitable guide Ways. Formed in the carria e 102 is a central opening or recess 103 (Figs. 22

, the forward end o the shaft 106 is jourl I, naled, and to' extensions 109' of which the jaw members 110 are pivotally connected at Jaw members 110 have formed therein the 111 which are sha d to encompass the pit or core of the it to be pitted or cored. In closed. position of the jaws 110 (Fig. 24) the surfaces 112- thereof are in engagement. Connected pivotally to jaws 110 at their mid portions are the 'ends Aof links 113 which at their other lends are connected at points 113 to frame members 94 by members 114. Pitting or cutting knives 115 are adapted to rest in recesses 111 of jaws 110 and are provided with three curved sides .forming cutting edges 116. Formed on the outer end of each knife is a half cylindrical extension 117 (Figs. 25 and 26) resting in a halfacylindrical seat formed in the surfaces 112 of jaws 110. Retaining plates 118 secured to the ends of jaws .110 are provided with the half conical centerm members 119 which fit intohalf conica recesses 120 in the ends of the half eylindrical sections 411'( (Figs. 23 to 27). When the jaws 110 are closed the fiat sides of sections 117 of the knives 116 come to ther forming acylindrical support forthe ives 115 in the ends of jaws 1,10, and the ends of the sections 119 of the conical centering members are brought together in a manner to form a centering point about which the knives 115 may be rotated on their extensions 117 with relation to the ends of the jaws 110. At their opposite ends the knives 115 are pivoted or hinged at 121 to a supporting member. 122 journaled in the ends of the extension 109 of carriage 102. Member 122 is secured preferably in detachable manner to the ends of the shaft 106. Formed .integrally with or secured to carriage 102 are the side extensions 123 (Figure 22) in which the projecting actuating members 124 are adjustably secured. The actuating members 124 are positioned in alignment with the end surfaces 125 of the bearings 63 carried bythe carriage. 3, and as carriage 3 approaches theend of its movement tothe right in Figure 1, the surfaces 124 and 125 of bearing 63 will engage the members 124 and will force the carriage 103 to the right in Figures 1 and 22 against the tension of springs 126. Springs 126 are secured at one end to standards 101 by means of the pins 127 and at their other ends are secured to extensions 128 of the carriage 102 and normally urge the carriage 102 to the left in Figures 1 and 22, holding the jaws 110 in open position 'as shown in Figure 23. The range of opening of the jaws is controlled by means of screws 124. The jaws are ad- 'lasse justed with openin suicientto allow passage of the largest iameter it measurement ta en over the n like orri edge or suture of the' it. To 'permit the knives 115 to adjust t emselves sli htly in 111 as the jaws 110 open an close, a slight endwise movement of the shaft 106 is permitted in the tubular lmember 105. To provide for this movement of knives 115, extensions 128 of carriage 102 are provided u n which a movable late 129 is supporte Plate Y129 is norma ly held to the right in Figures 1 and 22 by means of the springs 129 mounted on extensions 128. The end of the shaft 106 is extended through the plate 129 and terminates in a head 130. As jaws 110 and the knives 115 open, the shaft 106 is permitted to move forward, carryin with it, through Ithe action of head 130, t e movable plates 129 and compressing springs 129's1ightl When jaws 110 are closed, springs 129 will force the lates 129'and the head 130 together with the shaft 106 to the right until the knives areproperly positioned'for operation.

The pinion 104v meshes with and is driven by a gear segment 131 (Figure 32) which is ri dly secured to and rotatable with a spin le 132 suitablysupported from standard 101. Spindle 132 is driven by a pinion 133 rigidly secured thereto which is formedon' a rack member 135 which is guided for vertical reciprocating movement in a bore 136 formed in one of the members 101. Secured to the lower end of the rod 135 is a plate 137 (Figures 3, 29 and 31) which is provided with a vertical slot 138 into which the shaft 2,6 slidably fits. A cam roller 139, secured to an extension of plate ,137 by means of a pin 139', engages and is actuated by a cam 140 secured toshaft 26, rotates cam 140, imparts a vertical reciprocating movementto the plate 137 and to rod 135 guided by bore 136 and slot 138. As the.. rack 134 reciprocates vertically, an oscillating motion will be imparted to the shaft 106 and the knives 115 through pinion 133, gear segment 131 and the -pinion 104.

Operation.

=In operation of the machine the main shafts 33 and 26 are continuously driven from the drive pulley 34 (Fig. 2). Rotation of the shaft 26 actuates the cams 28 and 28 (Figures 1 and 30) which engage the 'rollers 27 and 27', imparting a reci rocating motion to member 24 (Figure 1 Reciprocation of the member 24 oscillates the arm 23 about its pivot and causes Vthe pinion 20 to be actuated back and forth 'across the-rack 21. This movement of the pinion 20 causes a rotation thereof and reciprocates rack 19 and carriage 3. As carriage `3 reaches the left end of its travel in Figurel, it comes to rest momentarily as` the relatively lint portion 29 of the cam 28 passes by roller 27. In this interval of rest of the carriage, the operator positions a. fruit such as a peach to be pitted with the point of attachment of the stem of the fruit against the center point 12 of the centering member 11 as shown in Figure 8, and with the fruit in such av position that a plane throughy the greatest w1dth of the pit will .be in alignment' with the'knives 7. When the fruit to be pitted is a peach, the peach will be held in such positionl that the central vertical plane of the. knives 7 will be substantially 111 a plane through the .natural crease B, through the lin like edge A (Figure 12) of the peach. In this way the crease isv used as a guide for the operation lin impaling the fruit. Vhen the fruit has been properly positioned, the operator forces it to the rear on the knivesy 7 and the parts will then assume the position shown by the dotted line in Figure 8. The operation' of impaling the peach should be completed before the rotation of cam 28 moves the carriage 3 to the right in' Figure'l. As cam 28 rotates, the

` carriage 3 will be moved to the right and when the carriage approaches the end of its movement to the right, the functioning and relation of parts is such that transfer member 46 will be positioned with one set of the fruit receiving recesses 48 in proper position to receive the impaled fruit. As the projection 30 of cam 28 asses the roller 27, the fruit will be plunge into the aligned receiving recess 48 as shown in Fig. 11 with a plane through ,crease B (Figs. 12 and 14) positioned between and substantially parallel to plates 47. The fruit will be cut substantially to the depth of the pit as indicated in Figures 13, 14 and 35, and willbe held with the iin like or ribbed edge or suture of the pit disposed between the plates 47.

cam 28 will engage the roller 27 of the member 24 causing movement of member 24 together with pinion 20 and carriage 3 to the left in Figure 1 and withdrawing the impaling knives 7 from the fruit. As the carriage 3 returns to the left in Figure 1 pin 41 of the crank 40 will rotate in-the directlon of the arrow and will enter the slot 42 of the member 38 positioned to the right thereof, and will rotate member 38 and the shaft 37 through an angle of 9() degrees. When the bed 3 approaches the end of its movement to the left as shown in Figures 8 and 9, the end of the member ,11 will engage the balls 14 (Fig. 8) in the projection 16 of the frame 1, and the centering member 11 will be returned to the full lined position shownin Figures 1 and 8 as the carriage 3 reaches the end of its stroke. The operator then impales another fruitl on the knives 7 during the momentary interval in which carriage 3 i: at rest as set forth and the carriage then i Rotation ofmember 46 will carry the fruit plunged in recesses 48-past the knives 50 and 51 (Figures l, 5 and 15) and a slice will be removed from the stem end of the l fruit as shown in Figures 15 and 36. Further rotation of transfer member 46 will carry the fruit past the cutting knives 55 and will remove a slice from the blossom or spike end of the fruit as shown in Figures 16 and 37. On the second forward movement of carriage 3 after the fruit is transferred vto member 46, it will be positioned between heads 65 and as the carriage 3 approaches the endof its movement tothe left 1n Fig. 1, rack member 86 (Figures 1, 17 and 21) will engage the step members 88, and will force the rack members 86 forward in their hearings 87. Movement of rack members 86 will cause the racks 85 to rotate pinions 84` which in turn will impart a rotation to the shafts 83, gears 82, pinions 81 and crank 79. Crank 79 will move through 180 degrees causing links 76 to shift collars 77 and tubular members 64 together with heads 65 inward to engage the fruit positioned between the heads. As the heads 65 move inward, the central cup members 71 thereof will engage opposite sides of .the

fruit and elastic diaphragms 68 willdetlect As the rotation of the shaft 26 contlnues,

in conformation with the configuration of the fruit. unseating valves 73, and permitting sutlicientair pressure to enter the cup 65 and back of the diaphragm 68 to cause a firm gripping of the fruit without exertingI suilicient pressure thereon to deform the fruit.

As the carriage 3 moves forward in its next movement, the fruit gripped between heads 65 will be removed from the transfer member 46 and carried forward or to -the right in Figure 1, with a-channel or groove 5 9 formed therein as indicated in Figure 38. As the carriage 3 moves forward. knives 89 will enter channrl 59 with the pit disposed between edges 95 of plates 90. Continued will be forced to the right in Figures 5 and l5 l y carriage 3 may return to theleft in Figure 1 nel 59 from the it substantially as indicatedl in Figure 39.

knives 89, springs 99 will return the knives position shown in Figures.l

fter the pit has passed the 89 to the full line 1 and 5.v

.As movement of the carriagehu' to theriglt' continues, the vfruit will be positioned tween the jaws '110 as shown in Figure 23.4 `Further movement of the carriage lto the" right 'will cause surfaces 125 of the bearings 63 thereof to engage the p actuating members '.124 o rojecting stubs or and carriage 102 4together with the jaws 110 23. As the carriage 102 moves to the right,

links 113willswing about their fixed pivots and the jaws 110 togetherfwith knives115 and-the related arts will be forced to closed osition shown y the dotted line position in igure 5v and shown in Fig. '23. Juws`110 will enterchannel 59, encompassing the'pit as shown in Figure 24 and willlhold the fruit against rotation. y

During theforward movement of. the carriage 3, as thefruit" between 'heads 65'is 'being positioned between the jaws 1.10, another fruitwill be transferred from the impaling knives -7'to the transfer member 46. V.While jaws 110 are closing in channel 59 in the fruit positioned between heads 65, rack members 86 will engage stop members 142 (Fig. 1) supported from the frame members 3 5,

forcing rack members 86 to the rear in the' bearing members 87 land causing rotation of pinion 84 and the parts driven thereby in a reverse direction. `This reversal of rotation of pinion 84 will `rotate the crank 79 cans? ing a return movement ofthe links 76 and outward movement of the tubular members 64 and the heads yleaving the fruit supported in jaws 110. Air under ressure from the flexible connection wi then force diaphragms 68 outward causing the valves 73 to seat and cutting the air' pressure from the interior of heads 65.

As soon as the jaws 110 are closed and the pit or core is encompassed Vby the knives 115, the high portion of the cam`140 on shaft 26. (Figs. 3, -29,` and 31) will pass by the roller 139 and will force plate 137 together with. the rod 135 and the rack 134 upward.

Upward movement of the rack 134 will rotate the pinion 133 and segment 131, causing' a rotation of thepinion 104 and shaft 106.

Rotation of sha-ft 106 will rotate the knives 115 as indicated in Figure 28 to form a -cut around the pit of the fruit starting from the iin like or rib edge or suture of the pit, and will free the pit from the separated halves of the pulp or flesh as indicated in Figures 41 and 42 of the drawings.

As soon as the cups 65 are moved outward and as it reaches the left end of its stroke `fruit or peach l-vice-16, and t ej cycle of voperations above the carriage 102,

'itioned inthe 4t setforth will be re As soon asv the? knives- 115 haverotatedithrough about 18o degrees'the roller 139 ma dro oof the to their initial position neste 111 of the jaws 1 10 jfor thev next operation. As the carriage 3 returns to the left in Fig- -ures 1 and 22 the surfaces'125 will be'. disl rejecting mem-l engaged from the end of v bers 124 of carriage 102 an springs l126 will return carriagef102 tothe left causing the jaws 110' to open` as shown F' ures 5 and '.As the cut isl formed aro'un the pitby the knives 115 the freed halves of ythe` :y: i

will dro awa'y from the pit.

It wil be'seen that the parts are `all prop` erly-timed so that a continuous 'cycle of opletations is carried out onv peaches and 'ke fruits which comprises formin 70." high point lof the cam 1 2-an .knives 11 {i' f wi l be returned by the welgiht of the parte in the recesses a. channel, 1 7

out groove, or incision around t e fruit en'- tering of the pitting knives in the channel cut orgrooveso formed along 4the lnlike" or. rib edge or along the line of thel suture` of the pit, and then severing the it lfrom the pulp by starting from the fin li e or rib edge or suture of the pit and cutting through the ul to free the same from the pit.

-Whi e t e pittin .of peaches has been s ciically describe it will be understood t at plums, pears, apples and like-fruit may be cored and halved in accordance with my improved methods and by my improved apparatus.

The novel method of itting fruit carried outautomatically by t e a parat-us herein specifically set forth may o viously be carned out in various manners and for pitting vpeaches consists essentially in entering. a

cutting knife orknives along the vfin like or rlbedge or suture of the p it, severing the p2: from the halves by starting from the like or rib edge or suture of the pit and separating the pulp in halves. The method may obviously be carried out by hand by inserting a cutting knife or pitting spoon from the" stem end of the fruit along the iin like or rib edge or the suture edge of the pit in the plane of the crease, which appears on the outside of the peach, then cutting from the fin like or rib edge or the suture of the pit around and through the izo gisting spoon or knife* may be carried out by reinovingi slice from around the pit of the fruit as disclosed in my PatentNo. 1,441,490, inserting a pitting knife or spoon in the channel formed in this manner around the pulp, and cutting the pit free from the pulp. Instead of' cuttinga slice from the ulp to form av channel, a cut may be formed) in the fruit in ythe plane of the crease or fin like or 'rib edge or the suture of the pit, and the pulp may be wedged apart sufficiently either by the cutting knife or another implement to separate the pulp. A pitting knife may be entered in the channel so formed along the fin like or rib edge or the suture of the pit and utilized to separa-te the pulp from the pit.

It will be seen that the improved methods carried out by my apparatus hereinbefore set forth may also be carried out bydifferent forms of apparatus. v

Accordingly, having described preferred; embodiment of apparatus for carrying out my invention, and various ways b' which the methods involved may be carrie s out in dependently of the particular apparatus, what is desired to be secured by Letters Patent and claimed as new is:

1. A peach pitting and halving apparatus includin means for cutting and removing an annular slice circumferentially' from the peach substantially to the depth of the pit, to separate the pulp into halves each adherine' to a portion of the pit, and means receivable in the annular groove formed by the removal of the slice and movable circumferentially of the. pit at right angles to the groove for severing the adhering portions of the pulp from the pit.

2. A peach pittingand halving apparatus including means for forming a groove circumferentially of a, peachl to the depthY o-f the pit to divide the pulp into sections each adhering to the pit, and a knife receivable in said groove and movable aboutl the longitudinal axis of the itfor severing the adherin portions of t e sections from the pit.

v 3. i peach halving and `pitting apparatus including devices for cuttin' a peach circuinferentially in parallel p anes .substantially to the depth of the pit and for removing the portion between the cuts fr om the peach to form a. Groove cincumferentially of the saine and to form 'the lpulp into sections each adhering to the pit, and means receivable AWithin the groove for embracing the` pit and movable around the pit separate the adhering portions ofthe sections from the pit. v

4. A peach halving and pitting apparatus including means for cutting a peach annularly to separate the pulp to the depth of a central core to be removed comprising the substantially intact pit; normally curved .cutting mean? receivable in the line of said for cut; and means for rotating said cutting means about said pit in a manner to cut said halves, with a l portion of each adhering to' the pit, means for separating the adhering portions of the halves from the pit, peach feeding means 'including a pair of peach impaling knives, and means for centering the peach onto said knives.

7 A peach halving andpitting apparatus.`

including means for `cutting a peach annularly to separate the' pulp substantially into halves, with a portion of each adhering to the it, means for separatingthe "adherin portions of the halves from thepit, peac feeding means including a pair of peach impaling knives, and means for rece tion within the stem depression of the peac for centering the same onto the knives.

8. A peach `l/ialving and pitting apparatus including means for cutting a peach annularly to separate the pulp substantially into halves, with a portion of each adhering to the pit, means for separating the vadhering portions of the halves from the pit, peach feeding means including a pair of peach impaling knives, and means movable relative to the knives for reception within the stem depression of the peach for centering the same onto the knives 9. A peach halving and pitting apparatus including means for cutting a peach annula-rly to separate the pulpl substantially into halves, with a portion of each adhering to the pit, means for separating the-halves from the pit, peach feeding means including impaling devices and a centering member one movable relatively to the other, the centering member adapted for projection in 'advance of the impaling devices for reception Within the depression at the stem end of the-peach guiding the peach onto the impaling devices. f

10. A fruit halving' and pitting apparatus including movable means for receiving and arcu'ately cuttin a peach inwardly from its surface substantially to the depth of the pit for a portion of the circumference and' in parallel planes substantially diametrical, devices for completing the circumferential cut of the peach in the same planes and for removing a slice to the depthof the pit between said cuts to provide a groove circumferentially of the peach and formv half portions each adhering to the pit, means receivable in the groovev and movablevcircumclaim ioo :,ferentially of the pit for SeYQlng the adhelff the movable cutting means to the ing portions of the half sections from the pit, and conveying members for engaging the fruit and for conveying the same from pit removing means.

11. A fruit halving and pitting apparatus including movable means for receiving and arcnately cutting a. peach inwardly from its surface substantially to the depth of the pit for a portion of the circumference and in parallel planes substantially diametrical, devices for completing the circumferential cut of the peach inA the same planes and for removing aslice 'to the depth of the pit between said cuts to provide a groove circumferentially of the fruit and form half sec# tions each adhering to the pit, means receivable in the groove and adapted for yieldably engaging the pit to remove the pulp substantially in the plane of the groove adhering thereto, means receivable in the groove and movable circumferentially of the pit for severing the adheringA port-ions of the halves therefrom, and members for engaging the fruit on opposite sides of the groove and for conveying the saine from the movable cutting means through the apparatus.

12. A peach lialving and pitting apparatus, including means for cutting an annular slice from a peach to the depth of the pit, means receivable in the depression formed by the removal of the slice and movable circumferentially of the pit at right angles to the Walls of tliedepression to separate the adhering portions of the pit from the halves, and means in the form of opposing cooperating cupped members engaging the fruit and conveying the same through the apparatus.

13. A each halving and pitting apparatus inclu ing means for halving and pitting a peach, peach conveying means comprising o posing co-operatin cupped members, elitstic engaging sur aces associated with the cupped members, means for movingthe cupped members to and from each other into and from peach engaging and releasing position, and means for exerting a fluid pressure on said elastic surfaces to cause the same to conform to the contour of a portion' of the peach engaged thereby, and a fluid pressure controlling valvek automatically opened on the engagement of the fruit between said members.' y

14. A peach halving and pitting apparatus including means for halving andv pitting va peach, peach conveying means comprising opposing co-operating cupped members, means for moving the cupped members to and from each other, an elastic surface over the mouth of each cupped member for closing' the same, means for exerting .a fluid pressurewithin each cup for causing the elasticsurfaces to conform to the contour gf a portion of the fruit engaged thereby, and.

core'to be removed from means for moving said cups in unison at right angles to their movement relative to cach other.

' 15.`A each lialving and pitting apparatus incluting means forlialving and pitting a peach, peach engaging means comprising a pair of co-operating cupped members movable on a common axis to and from each other into peach engaging and releasing position, a movable bed on which said cupped members are mounted, means for reciprocating the bed, and devices coacting with the cupped members for imparting relative movement thereto during the reciprocation of the bed in opposite directions.

16. A peach halving and pitting apparatus including means for halving and| pitting a peach, sai means including a pair of oscillatory knives, each consisting of a pair of parallel blades, the cti-operating blades oi opposing knives being disposed in parallel planes with the forward portion of the cutting edges normally lying in spaced relation providing a normally open pit receiving recess, the rearward portion of said cutting edges converging toward each other, scraping means disposed transversely across the rear portions of the cutting edges of the respective pairs of blades yieldable means for normally maintaining the forward portions of the knives separated, and means for conveying a fruit therebetween to cause a slice oitpulp to be removed to the depth of the pi e 17. fruit pitting or coring apparatus comprising means for separating the pulp of thefruit to be pitted or cored substantially to a central core to be removed, and means adaptedto enter between the separated ortions of the pulp to hold the fruit an to sever the central core to be removedl from the pulp. i

18.. In combination, means for separating the flesh portion of a fruit to a central core to b e removed therefrom; and holding and cutting. means adapted to enter between the separated flesh portion to hold the fruit and sever a central core .from the fruit.

19. In a fruit coring or pitting apparatus. means for engaging the fruit to be cored or lpitted within the outer periphery of the fruit pulp., to be cored,;and a curved rotatable knife for cutting a central core free from thel pulp.

20. fruit pitting and coring apparatus comprising means for engaging the fruit to be pitted or cored Within the outer periphery of the flesh portion thereof and outside of the periphery of the central core to be removed, and means disposed within said first mentioned means for severing the central the outer fiesh p0rtion thereof.

21. In aV fruit pitting apparatus. means for separating the degli portion et the fruit iin tion of the fruit starting from said plane.

to be pitted substantially to the depth of a central core to be removed therefromI and substantially through the plane of greatest sectional area of the pit; and means for cutting around the, pit through the flesh por- 22. A fruit coring and pittin apparatus comprising means f orcutting tie pulp of the fruit substantially to the depth of a cen-v tral core to be removed; severing means receivable in the line of said cut and normally shaped to conform to the outline of the central core to be removed; and means for rotating said severing means starting from the line of said cut through the pulp of the fruit to sever said central core from the remainder lof the fruit.

23. A peach pitting apparatus comprising means for formin a channel in the the fruit to be pltted substantially to the depth of a central core to be removed comprisin the whole pit; means embodying a curve recess forentering said channel; a curved pitting knife normally nested within said curved recess; and means for rotating said knife.

-24. The combination as set forth in claim 22 together with holding means comprising a member adapted yto engage the periphery of the fruit to vposition the samev for said curved knife.

25. The combination as set forth in claim 22 in which said severing means comprises a pair of curved pitting knives.

pulp of mined relation, and having a guideway formed therein to permit the passage of a yfruit in the formation of a slice, providing access to, the pit.

27. A device of the class described comprising a support and a stationary sliceforming means mounted on said support adapted to form a slice in fruit moved thereover to provide access to the pit.

28. In combination, a support, a fruit-pitting mechanism mounted on said support, and a slice-forming means mounted on the support in predetermined relation with pitting mechanism.

29. In combination, a fruit-pittingmechanism, and a slice-forming means associated with said pitting mechanlsm for delivering fruit at the end of the slice-forming operation in predetermined relation to the pitting mechanism.

30. In combination, a fruit-pitting mech-` anism having pitting knives, and a sliceforming means associated therewith havin a discharge end for directing fruit provided 4with a slice into operative relation with said pitting knife to permit removal of the pit in -the operation of the knives. l

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

ARTHUR L. DUNCAN. 

